In a program quite similar to last year, the 2006 National Apple Month retail display contest got underway Sept. 1 and will run through the end of November. The contest is open to all retailers in the United States as well as to all military commissaries in this country and abroad, according to NAM Director Kay Rentzel.

Daniel Peyton McClure, president and chief operating officer of West Coast Tomato Inc. and McClure Farms in Palmetto, FL, died Sept. 23 at his home in Bradenton, FL, after a battle with liver cancer. He was 80 years old.

A lifetime resident of Manatee County, he was born Feb. 8, 1926 in Palmetto to Versenoia Thomas McClure and John Niel McClure Sr.

He graduated from Palmetto High School and the University of Florida, where he received a degree in finance and economics. He served in the U.S. Navy.

FRESNO, CA -- As reported last week in The Produce News, at its board of directors meetings and executive sessions held Sept. 19 in Sacramento, the California Tomato Commission, here, decided to downsize the state commodity commission effective immediately, a cutback which will eliminate the marketing and government affairs program and retain only the research program, which focuses on seed varieties and pest management.

WASHINGTON -- Spinach growers are watching time run out as speculation continues on the cause of the spinach outbreak and what should be done to fix it.

Growers of Washington potatoes, apples and onions had a chance to talk with Mike Begnaud, who handles sales for Rail Logistics LC about new rail service through the Washington Produce Railcar Pool program. Mr. Begnaud arrived in Moses Lake, WA, on Sept. 18 to visit with the Washington State Potato Commission and coordinate grower visits prior to his return to Overland Park, KS.

WASHINGTON -- Canadian produce marketers have raised concerns about new user fees due to be levied on Canadian shipments of fruits and vegetables to help pick up the tab for increased U.S. inspections.

The issue surfaced during high-level trade negotiations between the agriculture chiefs of the two countries earlier this month.